Re-introducing religious studies and the death penalty in Namibia

ALVENUS F DREYER WRITES:

Namibia's population is predominantly Christian with close to or more than 90% believing in or belonging to this religion. Of late we are observing instances where some political parties are promising the nation and in particular the electorate two things namely. re-introducing religious education in schools and bringing back the death penalty. We must remember that despite more than 90% of Namibians being Christian the other less than 10% of citizens are equally protected by the constitution and also have their fundamental human rights. As for the death penalty, if you consider perhaps conducting interviews with the same more than 90% of Christians a substantial percentage will be against such a sentence. Why, simply because the fifth commandment explicitly states that “you shall not kill", thus lawmakers ought to know better. Let’s not forget where one's rights stop and the other person's rights begin. Politicians and aspiring ones take courage and all sorts of plans to achieve their political agenda because at the end of the day it's all about securing your spot at the table for the belly.But this time around some of these fly-by-night politicians have gone a little to far making promises about re-introducing religious studies and the death penalty. Even if there is a possibility for these politicians to get a chance to be part of parliament, the passing of these two laws will be very difficult to come by. History has time and again shown us that religion over the centuries has and still continues to be misused for a variety of reasons all over the world. It can only be prudent that a democratic state like Namibia remain secular and to also continue ensuring that as a nation we uphold the principles of the rule of law, equal rights and justice for all. There are much more serious and pressing national issues of social and economic concern. For example the issue of so-called economic growth in Namibia versus protecting the environment and sustainability utilizing the country's natural resources for the benefit of current and future generations. The role Traditional Authorities (TA's), Civil Society Organizations (CSO's) and the Church must play in being the eyes and ears for Namibia is a pertinent issue up for discussion on a daily basis. On the other hand businesses/ investors both local and foreign must conduct business activities on clearly outlined policies based on proper consultations with all relevant stakeholders and role-players. Namibia is a country who in the name of "economic development" is exposed to the dangers of natural habitat losses and destruction, the scramble for a very scarce and limited resource which is water and the loss of livelihoods of the rural-poor who are depending on subsistence farming. We need politicians who will invest their time and energy into areas which will transform the social and economic status of Namibians for real. We want politicians who understand what it takes to balance the concept of socialism versus capitalism, not people one can describe as selling our country for any available currency without having done the necessary and proper checks and balances.